Forensics Journal - Stevenson University 2012 | Page 25

FORENSICS JOURNAL

composite drawings, based on interviews with witnesses and victims
(Ramsland, n.d.). With the advent of computers, Identi-Kit was
rediscovered and became a viable tool once again. In 1996, Identi-Kit
2000, an advanced computerized version of the composite approach
to criminal identification was created. This edition provides the witness with an entire face within a basic group that matches the witness’
description, not separate images of facial parts. The witness points
out the features that are not accurate, and the artist adjusts the image
from a general database. This program gives the artist the ability to
move, shade, scale, paint, draw, erase, and add or remove any feature
with the computer edit program. Identi-Kit 2000 gives investigators
the ability to generate realistic photo composites within minutes and
distribute them directly to other agencies from the computer. Over
time, composites have evolved from hand-drawn sketches used in
wanted posters to computer-generated images.

The success of a composite image is based exclusively on how an
investigator utilizes the image. A composite image helped investigators apprehend Richard Allen Davis in the kidnapping and murder of
Polly Klaas. Polly invited two of her friends over for a pajama party
on October 1, 1993. As the three girls played quietly in Polly’s bedroom, a large man who smelled of alcohol suddenly entered the room
through an open window and threatened them with a knife. Davis
quickly bound Polly’s two friends and kidnapped Polly. The two girls
were terrified, but they managed to free themselves and alert authorities. They described the man to the 911 operator and mentioned
that he had worn a yellow bandanna tied around his head. According
to crime scene investigators, the abductor had left a palm print in
the room. Although the palm print was important, authorities still
requested a good description of the suspect from Polly’s two friends.
The two girls tried their best to give the forensic artist enough details
for a composite drawing, so that a “wanted” poster (Figure 4) could
be completed and distributed throughout the country. The forensic
artist used an array of images from a police book with more than
900 faces, so that the victims were able to match them from their
memories. The girls chose from an array of images until the forensic
artist had enough details to sketch an entire face (Figure 5). Despite
a massive effort, Polly’s abductor was not immediately apprehended.
The forensic artist met with the girls again to see if he could obtain
any additional details of the suspect. After several hours, the girls and
the forensic artist finally came up with a face of a man with wrinkles,
a mustache and beard.

THE PRIMARY TECHNIQUE
Composite drawings are the most common activity for the forensic
artist. The goal of composite images is to assist detectives during an
investigation. A composite portrait taken from several eyewitnesses
can provide law enforcement with a good portrait of the person for
whom they are searching. A composite image is a freehand drawing
made by combining various parts into a single graphic image. There
are two techniques available to complete a composite image: the
hand-drawn or computer-generated and assemblage methods. Despite
advances in computer technology the primary and proffered method
remains the hand-drawn process. The forensic artist, through interviewing victims and witnesses, prepares a hand-drawn image from
reference images selected by the witness. These images comprise the
best representation possible based on the witness’ or victim’s memory
recall (Figure 3). The composite drawing does not have to look
exactly like the suspect. In many cases a general or close similarity will
stimulate recognition on the part of the viewers (Jackson, 2004).

Approximately, six weeks later Richard Allen Davis was arrested and
identified from the palm print that was on file because of two previous kidnapping convictions. At the time of capture, he was on parole.
The composite sketch on file matched his previous mug shots and
helped scale the search. This allowed authorities to close in on him.
On December 4, Davis led law enforcement to Polly’s body.

FIGURE 4: Reward Poster with Composite sketch for Polly Klaas
(Dolan, 2009).

FIGURE 3: Composite Sketch and Photo (Ramsland, n.d.(b))

23